Explore Cape Cod Through Your Stomach This Fall

If you love lobster, blueberries, clam-digging (in clam-digger shorts, of course) and all the other New England coastal food traditions, then the good times don't have to end with summer vacation — they just get better throughout the fall. A locavore’s paradise can be found where the Pilgrims once made landfall and it’s equally delicious whether you go white tablecloth and champagne, or beach picnic and microbrews from the bottle.

U-Pick at Coonamessett Farm, Falmouth

Want to teach the kids how to harvest dinner by hand? Coonamessett Farm in Falmouth does U-Pick blueberries, blackberries, pumpkins, peonies and approximately 20 other crops, ranging from low-glam potatoes to exotics like the water hyacinth. (Also, cuteness alert! Alpacas and miniature donkeys live on the grounds.)

Fresh lobster cooked to order, just-caught bluefish and sweet bay scallops, clams for prices you haven't seen in 20 years...This simple seafood market offers heavenly provisioning for many people, including local youth who queue up and order with the finesse of pro chefs.

Photo Courtesy of Lamb and Lion Inn

Pool Terrace, Lamb & Lion Inn

Is the first thing you notice about this picture the sexy propane grill in the background? If so, you’ll be right at home with this inn’s foodie crowd. Innkeeper Tom Dott is the head writer for Edible Cape Cod magazine, and knows every U-Pick Farm, lobster shack and oyster farmer in the area. The guests are almost equally savvy — ask a question on marinating techniques or local vegetables and they'll take turns offering advice.

Breakfast Strada With Wendy O’s Tomatoes

Like most devoted locavore New England businesses, the Lamb & Lion practices what they preach as far as farm-to-fork dining goes. Co-innkeeper Ali Pitcher sets a breakfast table showcasing the best of the neighbors’ gardens.

Photo Courtesy of Mac's Seafood

Clam Bellies, Mac’s Shack on the Pier

Another super-popular summer locavore activity is clamming, with the three most popular types being the littleneck clam, soft shell and distinctively large quahog. If you don't want to buy a clamming license, or you just don't want to get your feet wet, deep fried Wellfleet clam bellies from Mac’s Shack make for the greatest lunch you’ll ever eat off paper plates.

Stuffed Quahog, Spanky’s, Hyannis Port

Also for shellfish lovers: Try stuffed quahog, a slightly fancier version of the local catch, next time you're out for afternoon beers at a Cape Cod hangout like Spanky’s. If you try making this at home, Tom Dodd advises, “It’s not a law to put red or green peppers in the stuffing.” Many local restaurants do, but purists prefer to really savor the clam meat.

Photo Credit: Lena Katz

Oyster beds, East Dennis Oyster Farm

When going in search of shellfish, there could hardly be a more idyllic time and place than early morning low tide on Cape Cod. Locals with four-wheel trucks (and beach parking permits) drive right onto the tidal flats and sunbathe, jog and drink beers in the mellow sun. Oyster lovers know to head straight for East Dennis Oyster Farm, which is one of the only oyster farms in the region that’s licensed for direct-to-consumer sales. You can get fresh-from-the-sea oysters for $1 apiece — a gourmand’s dream.

Photo Courtesy of Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Clambake, Sea Crest

Take all the delicious things you find around the Cape (minus fruits), go out to the beach, and cook them on hot rocks and seaweed. That’s a traditional clambake and as this picture proves, the name is misleading. Lobster and corn are the stars of the mélange. This is a must-try, but there’s no need to make it yourself — most local restaurants serve a tasty version, and some do the full beach cookout for guests.

Photo Courtesy of Mayflower Brewing

Mayflower Beer

Did the Pilgrims know, when carving out their legacy around Plymouth and Provincetown, that a few hundred years later they’d be immortalized via excellent microbrews? We’re thinking they wouldn’t mind, as this smoky lager could have passed for a hearty meal in the 1600s. Mayflower Beer is one of countless obscure discoveries you’ll stumble upon in local liquor stores.

Photo Courtesy of Shutters

George’s Bank Sea Scallops at Shutters, East Falmouth

When that one special occasion date night comes around, it’s not as important that you dress up — the important thing is to appreciate the food transformation. From humble picnic fare, the day’s fresh catch becomes fine cuisine at the hands of Shutters' talented chefs who are blessed to have so many great ingredients within arm’s reach.

Lena Katz

Lena Katz is the author of the Travel Temptations series (SIP, SUN, SNOW), published by Globe Pequot Press in 2009. Lena is also a travel expert for Celebrations/1800FLOWERS and WEtv (online and on-air). She contributes to the South China Morning Post and ABC News online. Lena is a former Orbitz Travel blogger and former columnist for the LA Times. She's been published in Brides Magazine, Robb Rep...(Read More)